Web server techs not doing well with Php.
I have been trying to work with and help some web server techs figure out a problem that deals with php applets and a mailserver issue.
They are working on implementing a new IIS Windows server that can accomodate Php applications/ programs; such as the Dagon security form programs that were recommended here on this forum.
Their problem seems to be lack of understanding of either Php or mailservers that are used with Php, or both.
They can't seem to get their mail server to work with the simple Php that I have installed on the web site.
My problem is that this has been an issue since they first began allowing me to test this server before they assign DNS.
Any suggestions on what I could ask them, so that they reveal to me what their specific issue is? I want to help them, but I'm the customer and it doesn't sit well with them to take my advice.
I think if I knew what I was talking about, they might listen..
Rick (shobuz99)
Gannyaa posted this at 00:44 — 4th January 2007.
He has: 7 posts
Joined: Jan 2007
Try Abyss Web Server X1
It's totally free. No restrictions. Very easy to setup. Forum support is unbelievable.
Or go with Abyss Web Server X2 (costs money) if you want to host multiple websites on one computer.
http://www.aprelium.com
Aprelium also has very excellent support for PHP. The programming dudes there have a preconfigured PHP 5 package
that is customized for the Abyss Web Server X1 or X2
The Mail Server that I use alongside with Abyss is ArgoSoft's Mail Server - also a free server, but supports mailto: function in PHP. Which is great for Contact Us forms.
IF you have High Speed Access then Abyss may be the solution for you. Then you don't have to go through all the hassles of telephone tech support and not knowing what to do.
I'm new here too, but this setup works for me on my Win 98 desktop. Check out my pages if you'd like for demos of this post.
Todd (Gannyaa)
http://haidavision.no-ip.info/
http://haidavision.blogspot.com/
http://crescentbeachhouse.ca/
Busy posted this at 09:53 — 4th January 2007.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
I don't think the mail will work without the DNS being set.
It's been a while but I think a fix is to use the IP number instead of the (domain) name, but this was on a linux server and was a while ago
shobuz99 posted this at 21:33 — 4th January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
Busy,
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't know anything about linux servers,
but your idea does make sense anyway.
The server in question is a windows server (IIS), and right now access is limited to a few individuals (me for one). It's address is an IP address, and not a name. (Link to my php page.)
I get the feeling from the web techs there, that they don't have a clue how to 'enable' the mail server access for php or anything else. They told me they were seeking outside help. To me, that seems a bit scary... Their techs should be aware of these types of issues if they are going to be server techs and work with customers and put up a new server..... or am I wrong for being so cynical?
anyway.. thanks for the advice..
Rick (shobuz99)
Busy posted this at 09:25 — 5th January 2007.
He has: 6,151 posts
Joined: May 2001
I just remember from when I changed web hosts some years back, I could do everything (ftp etc) except email until the DNS was set.
The IP thing I mentioned before was for viewing the site (or webhost/~username) not the email, sorry
shobuz99 posted this at 15:13 — 5th January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
Busy,
I know what you meant. I meant that too. The IP address IS how you view the site.. it doesn't have a name (DNS) yet.. it's essentially a testing server.
My question was basically; why can't I test php related programs on this server; even though it doesn't have a name yet? Why should I have to wait for them to name it or assign a name (DNS) before I determine if the php programs will work properly with the mail server?
If this were a linux/unix/aix or any other server, besides windows (IIS),
would I still be having this problem? .... I think NOT!
Am I being stubborn? Someone help me out here..
JeevesBond posted this at 08:03 — 6th January 2007.
He has: 3,956 posts
Joined: Jun 2002
Is it the mail() function that you're trying to use? Do you know what mail server software they're using? The problem is probably due to some incompatibility. I've been in similar situations, and it's frustrating. Sometimes you just can't help, because only that company know the software their using and how it's setup.
Quite right! But in the defense of Windows, PHP isn't built to run on it. Just because it seems to work in development environments, doesn't mean it should be used in production! Why don't they just use Linux?! I smell the stench of cluelessness.
a Padded Cell our articles site!
shobuz99 posted this at 15:19 — 6th January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
jeeves,
Yes. i am trying to use the mail() function that is within the php program I'm referring to..
You are absolutely correct! They don't have a clue and may never get one.
Can you tell that I hate windows servers?
Thanks for your reply..
Rick (shobuz99)
JeevesBond posted this at 10:23 — 7th January 2007.
He has: 3,956 posts
Joined: Jun 2002
You're not the only one: that's probably why most of the net runs on Linux.
Perhaps the best course would be to gently suggest they use Linux?
a Padded Cell our articles site!
andy206uk posted this at 16:31 — 7th January 2007.
He has: 1,758 posts
Joined: Jul 2002
I work for a hosting company and our techs can do this kind of stuff without a second thought... If I were you I would ditch this bunch of clueless wannabe's double quick - if they can't even do this then could you imagine if you needed something really complicated doing?
Andy
shobuz99 posted this at 22:26 — 7th January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
andy206uk,
There is nothing I'd rather do more than ditch these guys... problem is, I can't because I'm not the registered owner of the domain. I'm simply the hired webmaster. I work for a union and am also webmaster for that org as well. The AFL-CIO in my state has several labor councils. The web site that's the topic of this discussion belongs to the labor council's field rep. He has given me the authority to directly deal with these guys, because of my web maintenance experience wih my union's website.
The best thing I could do, I think, is recommend to the field rep that we lose these losers and hook up with a better host service. The union I belong to uses Westhost.com and I'm very happy with them so far. The guys I'm unhappy with; that are the focus of this problem, are some small rag-tag outfit in upstate NY.
I was hoping, I guess, that there was some way to avoid recommending a change of host service and resolve the problem... But after everyone's gracious and helpful direction here, I see that hope as lost. You guys are right. We need a new host service. I hate windows servers anyway..
Thank you all for your advice an council. It's pretty clear what I must do now.
Rick (shobuz99)
andy206uk posted this at 20:24 — 8th January 2007.
He has: 1,758 posts
Joined: Jul 2002
Good luck with it - like I said before if these guys had any common sense they would be able to use the internet to find the answer or at least find a forum where they could ask for help - they clearly don't have a clue.
Hell, I could probably work out how to resolve the issue and I'm not even a sysadmin!
If you plan to use PHP you would be much better off on a *nix server anyway - PHP was designed to work on *nix systems and has been bodged to run on windows, just like a lot of other open source stuff like MySQL.
Andy
shobuz99 posted this at 21:32 — 20th January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
After struggling with the losers of the host windows server, I ended up
speaking with the domain onwers about finding a new host.
I found out that they are paying $20.00/month for this torture and very little support. The windows server people still can't get php working properly, because they have security issues with their mailsever.. I don't understand that, but that's what they seem to be struggling with.
In the mean time, I spoke with the domain owners, and they said they would decide what to do.
Well.. it's finally been decided by the domian owners to transfer to another host service. I want to help them make the move; but I don't know all the steps to get this done. I also don't know how long this should take, i.e. days, weeks, etc.
Does anyone here have experience transfering a domain from host to host? I know there must be paperwork to fill out, sign and maybe pay a fee to complete the transaction; but I don't know the details...
Do I need to contact ICANN?
I'd like to make this happen and get off that windows server asap.
Thanks for any help you may offer
Rick (Shobuz99)
FrankR posted this at 17:00 — 21st January 2007.
He has: 45 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
Generally, it is very easy as long as the real owner is the registrant and administrative contact for the domain. To move to a new host, the owner just has to update the domain's record with the registrar. You will provide the new set of name servers supplied by the new hosting provider.
You can find out which registrar maintains the record by doing a whois lookup at www.uwhois.com or using a program like Whois Web.
You would only need to work with ICANN if there is a dispute over the domain name. Updating a record is easy. It could be complicated if the hosting provider is listed as the owner. You need to pull the whois record to be sure.
Frank
Author of SQL Converter for Excel, which is an Excel add-in for converting data to MySQL.
shobuz99 posted this at 18:22 — 21st January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
FrankR,
Thank you. I have in fact, looked up the domain on "http://whois.domaintools.com/" and did see the "Registrant" and
the "Admin" listing.
The domain owner is listed as the "Registrant". (I know his name)
The "Admin" is a name that doesn't appear to be connected with the host service; and is associated with a separate company.
Maybe it's host server affiliate???... I'm not sure.
The "Tech name" is the same name as the "Admin".
There is also a "Sponsoring Registrar" listed in the begining.
This is also NOT the same as the "Registrant" that is listed.
This is a bit confusing to me. If I sent you the link to the whois for this domain would you be able to tell me whether there would be any complications to getting this transfer done?
Here's the link: http://whois.domaintools.com/cnylabor.org
I appreciate your help... thank you.
Rick (Shobuz99)
FrankR posted this at 19:11 — 21st January 2007.
He has: 45 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
The registrar for CNYLABOR.ORG is Dotster. You can find their web site at http://www.dotster.com. You will need to log in to the Dotster account that is responsible for the domain and update the listing.
I suspect that the Dotster account belongs to the administrative contact, Paul Albee. You will need to have the owner contact him and request that the record be updated to point to the new hosting provider's name servers.
The owner can administer his own record going forward. He can create a Dotster login and then ask Mr. Albee to transfer the domain, within the Dotster system, to the new account. That will allow you to manage the account going forward and assume the responsibility to directly pay the annual registration fee of $14.95.
I hope this helps.
Frank
Author of SQL Converter for Excel, which is an Excel add-in for converting data to MySQL.
shobuz99 posted this at 13:37 — 22nd January 2007.
They have: 42 posts
Joined: Oct 2006
FrankR,
It is a tremdous help! Thank you.
I don't think I would have figured that out on my own.
I haven't dealt with that before and didn't know.
I will forward the procedure on to the 'Mark Spadafore' person,
because he is whom I'm referring to as "Owner".
Would that be an acccurate claim?
Thanks again for your explanation.
Once this all gets done, I will post the results.
I figure if anyone else wants to know this; it should be useful.
Rick (shobuz99)
Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.